Preview: The Abu Dhabi Golf Championship

The European Tour travels to the gulf to begin its “Middle Eastern Swing.” First stop is the United Arab Emirates for the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship.

Abu Dhabi Golf Club
Fergus Bisset
By
published

Lowdown: The European Tour begins its Middle Eastern swing with the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. It’s the third running of the event and many of the world’s best players will return to the Emirate to battle it out around this excellent Peter Harradine designed layout. This year’s tournament features, probably, the strongest field ever assembled for the Abu Dhabi Championship. Sergio Garcia heads the cast list with three-time Major champion Padraig Harrington a high-profile understudy. Trevor Immelman’s participation means the winners of three of last year’s four Majors will be competing. “I’ve done quite nicely in Abu Dhabi, I like the course and I do feel it’s one I’m competitive on.” Said Harrington. “I am focusing hard on my preparation and I think I’ll be ready with my ‘A’ game. This year I’ll be good to go.” Several improvements have been made to the Abu Dhabi Golf Club for the 2009 event, including a bigger spectator village and enhanced sponsors’ area and car parking.

Betting: Abu Dhabi Golf Championship betting guide Golf Monthly Forum: Have your say on who you think will win 

Venue: Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Abu Dhabi Date: January 15-18 Course stats: par 72, 7,500 yards Purse: €1,500,000 Winner: €245,000 Defending champion: Martin Kaymer (-15)

TV coverage: Thursday 15 – Live on Sky Sports 1 from 7am Friday 16 – Live on Sky Sports 2 from 7am Saturday 17 – Live on Sky Sports 2 from 9am Sunday 18 – Live on Sky Sports 2 from 9am

player watch: Martin Kaymer – The German showed his true class in this tournament last year and will be keen to repeat that performance in 2009. Sergio Garcia – The World Number Two will be looking for maximum world ranking points to try and close the gap on Tiger Woods Rory McIlroy – In losing a play-off for the Hong Kong Open, McIlroy underlined his potential once again. The youngster is definitely one to watch in 2009.

Key hole: 18th. Played directly towards the iconic Falcon shaped clubhouse, the final hole is a par five of 557 yards – reachable in two for the longest hitters, it means the tournament could swing at the death. Skills required: Power hitting. At 7,500 yards the course favours the longer hitters. Kaymer won last year and Casey the year before that – both are renowned for their prodigious ball-striking.

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

Latest